Thankful Me

  A variety of red and yellow wildflowers bloom in a meadow near Steens Mountain in Oregon Back in April of 2003, Thomas S. Monson gave a talk in General Conference in which he advised: " Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present. " Participating in the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop affords me the chance to look back with gratitude, look forward with optimism, and find satisfaction with the present. Won't you join me in my reflections over the past couple of weeks? The last time I blogged, I was surrounded by apricots from our very productive tree. Thanks  to friends and neighbors who took the excess off my hands, and to various preservation methods, the work of the harvest is over. I needed to be done with apricots because we traveled to Oregon for a family reunion. Although in the past we would do the drive in one day, we are learning the joy of slower travel and decided to take two days to complete the journey. Going at a slower pace allowed u...

  An apricot tree, loaded with ripe fruit I've missed the past couple of weeks of the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop, due to having grandchildren come visit and choosing to spend my free time sleeping. Having so much fun wears this grandma out, but I'm always so happy when the grandkids are here! I'm not sure I'm less busy now that they have gone back, but it's a different, not-interrupted type of busy, and it is easier to sit down to compose a post. A batch of apricot pie filling is currently in the water bath canner, and I'm taking this 40-minute time to write.  1. I'm thankful for fruit trees. They are time-consuming when the fruit ripens, but it is also nice to have bottles of home-canned fruit throughout the year.  2. I'm thankful for a working blend door actuator. At least I think that is the thing I am thankful for. On the way to California to pick up the grandchildren, I noticed that the air conditioning was blowing hot on the front passenger si...

  The blue Silver Lake sits among trees in the mountains This past week has been packed with summer fun. My good friend came on Monday and left for her home on Friday. During the time she was here, we walked, hiked, shopped, dined, had dinner with a group of friends, played board games, attended the temple, drove by several other temples that are under construction or in the midst of renovations, went to a rodeo, and talked, talked, talked. I had so much fun!  Scaffolding surrounds the Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing seismic retrofitting and other renovations A lighted strawberry on the mountainside looks over the arena of the Strawberry Days Rodeo This upcoming week, John and I will continue the summer fun by having our grandchildren come to stay with us for a couple of weeks. If I don't get a Ten Things of Thankful post written next week, it will be because I will be collapsing at the end of every fun-filled day. 😊 No numerical list today, but lots of thanks for frien...

  Tall red poppies bloom against the brick remains of an old homestead A couple of weeks ago, John and I hiked in Alpine, Utah, to see the poppy gardens near the old Lambert homestead. We knew if we waited, we would miss the peak of the flowers. One minute, flowers are blooming, and the next minute, that particular floral show is over until next year.  The Ten Things of Thankful blog hop runs every week, but sometimes I miss the boat and don't get a post composed. I find, though, that those weeks that I do join in, I'm more apt to look for (and find!) the good in life--regardless of whether it was a "good" week or a "bad" week. Just as taking time to hike pays off with a beautiful view, taking the time to share ten things I'm thankful for pays off with a feeling of peace, satisfaction, and gratitude.  The past three weeks have been spent at home. It's been so nice to catch up on things here. The air conditioner cools the house again, we've taken ...

  a photo of me tipping sideways, with my arms out, framed by a big piece of driftwood on the beach The last time I posted, I was in Oregon helping my parents after my mom's fall. I'm back home in Utah now, via Alaska. John and I went on an Alaskan cruise we had booked months ago (with the original intent that my parents would join us, but obviously that didn't work). The day we left on the cruise, my sister arrived at my parents' house to take my place. When we got done with the cruise, we returned to Oregon, stayed with my parents for one night (and got to see my sister!), then drove to the Oregon coast for two nights, then drove home to Utah. Did you know it takes three times through the top 100 Beatles songs countdown on the Beatles satellite radio station to drive from the Oregon coast to my house? I didn't, but now I do. Hence, the "Here, There, and Everywhere" in the title of this post.  The cruise ship had an amazing Beatles tribute band-- BeatleSt...

  A western bluebird, sitting at the base of a house window, looks inside Thanks (1) to those who have sent well-wishes for my mom's recovery. Her wrist is healing up nicely. I met a friend from high school for lunch this past week. It was so nice to have a chance to visit with her for a couple of hours. She is one of those friends who it doesn't matter how much time has passed, we can pick right back up into meaningful conversations. Lunch ended all too soon, but I'm so thankful (2) for her, and I'm thankful (3) that she reminded me of the importance of reaching out to others.  Being in my parents' home this week, visiting with a long-time (I'm not saying old!) friend, and with Mother's Day tomorrow, my mind naturally reflects upon the women in my life. I'm thankful (4) for an incredible mom--a gentle woman who taught and loved and guided us (and still does.) I'm thankful (5) for grandmas who were different in their personalities but united in their...